Ice tray for electrical refrigeration



Nov. 13, 1928. 1,691,481

J. JACQUES ET AL ICE TRAY FOR ELECTRICAL REFRIGERATION Filed March 25, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l IIIIIII/ J Jac uas @041 R [IUJ/IWIQ.

Nov. 13, 1928. 1,691,481

' J. JACQUES ET AL ICE TRAY FOR ELECTRICAL REFRIGERATION Filed March 25, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 6cm we Patented Nov. '13, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JEAN JACQUES AND ALLEN R. COSGROVE, 0F YORK, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNORS TO MARTIN-PARRY CORPORATION, DELAWARE.

OF YORK, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF ICE TRAY FOR ELECTRICAL REFRIGERATION.

Application filed March 25, 1927. Serial Kai 78,399.

the invention is to bending a strip of metal intermediate its length at a plurality of points to define a cellular structure, functioning to separate the ice into cube formation.

Another object of the invention is to provide the cover with andownwardly extending flange, around its peripheral portion, to function as a Water shed for the water drippings occasioned by the defrosting oper ation or' by spillage when inserting a superimposed tray of water into the freezer.

Another and more specific characteristic of the invention resides in the spot-welding of the grid to the under-surface of the cover, thus rendering the construction of the device very economical.

Numerous other objects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading ofthe following specification, in conjunction with the drawings attached hereto and forming a part hereof in which- Fig. 1 represents a top plan'view,

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view on lines 2-2 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view,

Fig. 4: is a detailed view partly in section ofthe grid and top structure,

Fig. 5is a top plan view of a variant form of cover,

Fig. 6 is a side view of this cover and grid structure, 7

Fig. 7 is a detailed view on line 7-7 of Fig. 5, and

Fig. 8 is a still further modified form of cover.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, reference numeral 1 designates an ice tray which is open at its top. This ice of ice pan now as distinguished detail in connection with the tray has side walls 2 and end walls 3. To the end walls we secure, by soldering or spot welding, a front piece 5 having a finger gripping portion 6.

As distinguished from the open top type conventionally used, we employ a cover? to which is secured the grid 8. This cover is provided with a downwardly extending flange around its peripheral portion as designated by reference numeral 9 thereby to serve as a water shed against drippings or spillage caused by defrosting or the insertion of a superimposed tray. in any manner desired, or of any materials, but we preferably form the same of metal bent intermediate its ends at a plurality of points to define a multiplicity of downwardly extending partitions, constituting a cellular grid to separate the formed ice into numerous cubes of the required dimensions.

This grid is designated by reference numeral The grid structure can be constructed.

10, which. is bent to provide the partitions 11 and forming a plurality-of cells 12. WVe have found it to be desirable to secure the grid to the under-surface of the cover by spot-welding as at 14, although, of course, any other manner of securing the grid to the cover or of forming the grid integral with the cover can be used without departing from the invention.

The cover is preferably provided with several longitudinal corrugations as designated by reference numeral 15. This structure oficoverand grid lends itself particularly well to the separation of the ice from the cell portions.

It will be noted that the partition 16 is of relatively short length and this abuts against an end of the tray.

Referring to the modification shown in Figs. 5 and 6, it,will be noted that the peripheral flange has been omitted, and that a cut-out portion 17 is provided for the insertion of the finger of the operator or of a device to separate the cover and grid from the tray. The modification shown in Figure 8 is substantially the same as discussed in preferred form of the invention, but includes upstanding longitudinal marginal flanges to define, in conjunction with the top or cover, a water trough for receiving heated water, serving to cause an easy separation of the ice cubes from the grid. v

It will be obvious that many changes 1n the construction and arrangement of the parts may be made by those skilled in the art Without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the. following claims.

Having thus described the invention, What We claim is:

1. A tray for automatic refrigeration comprising an open-faced receptacle, a grid for fitting into the confines of said receptacle, said grid comprising a strip of metal bent intermediate its ends to define a plurality of partitions for separating the ice to be formed in cubular formation.

2. A tray for automatic refrigeration,

' comprising an open-faced receptacle, a unitary grid and cover structure for said reccp tacle, and adapted to be inserted into the receptacle, said cover having dovvnturned longitudinally extending flanges surrounding at least a portion of the receptacle to thereby function as a Water shed therefor.

3. A tray for automatic refrigeration comprising a receptacle, a grid structure for said receptacle, said grid structure being formed by bending a length of metal intermediate its ends to define a plurality of partitions, a cover spot-Welded to said grid structure, and forming a unitary part thereof, said cover protecting the contents of the receptacle from foreign substances.

4. A'tray for automatic refrigeration comprising a receptacle, an end portion secured to said receptacle and having a finger grip therefor, a grid structure, and a cover secured thereto and-forming a unitary part thereof, said cover constituting a means to prevent extraneous matter from entering the receptacle, said cover when in operative position being located at a plane lower than the marginal upper portion of the said end piece. a

5. A tray for automatic refrigeration comprising a receptacle, a grid structure for said receptacle, such gridstructure being formed by bending a strip of metal intermediate its ends to define a plurality of partitions, a cover rigidly secured tosaid grid structure and forming a unitary part thereof, and constituting a protecting medium for the contents of the receptacle from foreign substances, said cover having a cut-out portion for receiving the fingers of the operator to separate the cover and grid from the tray.

In testimony whereof We affix our signatures.

JEAN JACQUES. ALLEN R. COSGROVE. 

